News
No new date yet for AL exam, postponement to have knock on effect
By Chaminda Silva
The 2023 GCE Advanced Level examination that had been scheduled to commence on Nov 27 is likely to be postponed by over one month, sources in the Department of Examinations said on Friday but did no say when the exam will be held.
The examination was scheduled to commence on Nov 27 and to continue till Dec 21. It is being postponed owing to demands by parents, candidates as well as government and opposition MPs who want the government to consider putting it off at least by one month in response to appeals from students and teachers.
Department sources said that the talks were underway at Education Ministry level to decide the new date for the commencing the exam, and the Commissioner General of Examinations would announce the new date during the course of this week.
Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha told Parliament last week that the exam would have be postponed despite several complications it would lead to. The Minister said that the postponement will have many consequences.
“The GCE Ordinary level examination which was to be held in March will also have to be postponed to April and May. It will also result in the postponement of advanced level examinations from 2024 to early 2025.
In addition, a number of professional examinations which are held to select suitable candidates for certain state jobs will also be affected by the postponement,” the Minister said.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill to amend the State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975
By Cabinet decision dated 2025-12-01, policy approval was granted to amend the definition of the term “animal” in the Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 by including, pigs, goats, and sheep, in addition to cattle and buffaloes, within the interpretation section of the act.
In accordance with the said approval, the Legal Draftsman has drafted an Amended Bill in all three languages, and the clearance of the Attorney General has also been obtained.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the
resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to publish the draft Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter to submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
The Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre, comprising 11 floors, has been constructed with the assistance of the Government of India with the objective of serving as a hub for cultural activities in Sri Lanka and expanding bilateral cooperation for the promotion, preservation, and fostering the cultural heritage of Jaffna.
In accordance with the approval granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2022-02-21, a Joint Management Committee has been appointed to make decisions relating to the affairs of the said cultural centre, in terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed for the operation of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre.
According to the provisions of the aforementioned MOU, upon completion of the construction of the project, the cultural centre should be transferred to the Jaffna Municipal Council through the Government of Sri Lanka.
Following such transfer, the relevant parties have reached an agreement to establish a ‘trust’ for carrying out the management activities of the centre. The Attorney General’s clearance has been received for the draft trust deed prepared for that purpose.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to establish the trust to continue the management activities of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
State Mortgage and Investment Bank Law No. 13 of 1975 to be amended
Animals Act No. 29 of 1958 amended
Cabinet approves establishment of a ‘Trust’ to carry out the management of the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
Prime Minister Keir Starmer under pressure as ministers quit, 80 MPs urge him to resign
Nahid Rana rips through Pakistan to seal a final-session win for Bangladesh
South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail reverses retirement for T20 World Cup
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News6 days agoMIT expert warns of catastrophic consequences of USD 2.5 mn Treasury heist
-
News3 days agoLanka Port City officials to meet investors in Dubai
-
Editorial6 days agoClean Sri Lanka and dirty politics
-
Editorial5 days agoThe Vijay factor
-
News4 days agoSLPP expresses concern over death of former SriLankan CEO
-
News7 days agoDevelopment Officer bids Rs. 48 mn for CPC’s V8 at auction
-
Opinion7 days agoPostmortem reports and the pursuit of justice
-
News4 days agoPolice inform Fort Magistrate’s Court of finding ex-CEO of SriLankan dead under suspicious circumstances